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Abstract
The gonads of vertebrate embryos are unique among organs because they have a developmental choice; ovary or testis formation. Given the importance of proper gonad formation for sexual development and reproduction, considerable research has been conducted over the years to elucidate the genetic and cellular mechanisms of gonad formation and sexual differentiation. While the molecular trigger for gonadal sex differentiation into ovary of testis can vary among vertebrates, from egg temperature to sex-chromosome linked master genes, the downstream molecular pathways are largely conserved. The cell biology of gonadal formation and differentiation has long thought to also be conserved. However, recent discoveries point to divergent mechanisms of gonad formation, at least among birds and mammals. In this mini-review, we provide an overview of cell lineage allocation during gonadal sex differentiation in the mouse model, focusing on the key supporting and steroidogenic cells and drawing on recent insights provided by single cell RNA-sequencing. We compare this data with emerging information in the chicken model. We highlight surprising differences in cell lineage specification between species and identify gaps in our current understanding of the cell biology underlying gonadogenesis.
Highlights
Gonadal sex differentiation in vertebrates typically results in either ovary or testis formation
Recent discoveries point to divergent mechanisms of gonad formation, at least among birds and mammals. In this mini-review, we provide an overview of cell lineage allocation during gonadal sex differentiation in the mouse model, focusing on the key supporting and steroidogenic cells and drawing on recent insights provided by single cell RNA-sequencing
Birds have ZZ:ZW sex chromosomes and gonadal sex determination is governed by the Z-linked gene, DMRT1, which operates via a dosage mechanism (Smith et al, 2009; Ioannidis et al, 2020)
Summary
Gonadal sex differentiation in vertebrates typically results in either ovary or testis formation. Teleost fish exhibit a remarkable variety of different genetic sex determining triggers, (Matsuda et al, 2002; Hattori et al, 2012; Liew et al, 2012; Crespo et al, 2013; Bertho et al, 2018) Despite these diverse triggers for gonadal sex differentiation, most downstream genes are conserved among vertebrates. The supporting cell lineage is the first to differentiate under the direction of a sex-determining trigger, such as Sry (Albrecht and Eicher, 2001; Wilhelm et al, 2005). This lineage is thought to channel other cell lineages down the ovarian or testicular pathway. It is noted that germ cells play an essential role in gonadal sex determination in some models, such as zebrafish (Slanchev et al, 2005; Siegfried and NussleinVolhard, 2008)
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